THE PRESIDENT: I am, one, sad that Ari's leaving. He's done
a fabulous job for my administration. I appreciate his
friendship, his ability to handle a very tough job, and that is dealing
with you.

Fortunately, I've got a good man to take his place in
Scott McClellan. I've known Scott for a long time. I look forward
to working closely with him to make sure that the American people, and,
of course, the press corps, gets the information that's needed to
reflect the philosophy and the decision making of this
administration. He'll be able to do the job like Ari did, with the
highest amount of professionalism and class, and I've got the full
confidence in my new Press Secretary.

So, Scott, congratulations and welcome.

MR. MCCLELLAN: Mr. President, I'm honored. Thank you for
your support and confidence. Four-and-a-half years ago, I went to
work for the President because I believed in his leadership and
I believed in his agenda. I knew that the President was a
results-oriented, inclusive leader who governed from clear
principles and compassionate, conservative philosophy. And we
have made a tremendous amount of progress in the last two-and-a-half
years, and I look forward to doing my small part as part of an
outstanding White House team, to help him build upon that record of
accomplishment.

It is also a special privilege to be following my good friend,
Ari Fleischer, who has served the President exceptionally well, and
served the American people exceptionally well. I look forward to
working with the White House Press Corps, at least most of you, anyway,
as we do our part to keep the American people informed about the
decisions that are being made here in Washington, D.C.

So Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, and I look
forward to it.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Ari, thank you, buddy.
You've done a great job. Thank you all. Have a great weekend.
See you in Georgia.